Centipede iPhoneReview

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There's nothing buggy about this revitalized arcade classic.

By George Roush

If the pseudo-retro craze scene has scared you of late on the iPhone, be happy that at least one developer gets it. After the launch of the highly lauded Missile Command, Atari reboots another classic with Centipede, and now has one more hit it can add to its collection.

If you've ever played the classic then you know exactly what to expect. You control the shooter at the bottom of the screen and fire at the incoming centipede. But that's not the only creepy-crawly you have to worry about. Spiders, fleas, earwigs, scorpions, inchworms, mosquitoes, bees and ladybugs also try and impede your progress as you rid the garden of these pests.

Not only do you have to worry about the bugs, but there are mushrooms everywhere that get in the way not only your shots, but you as well. Luckily, the controls are spot on. Instead of relying of the accelerometer, a control scheme that would have failed miserably in this game, you control your shooter with your finger from the very bottom of the screen outside of the play area. The controls are much tighter than I thought they would be and I had no trouble getting right into the action my first time out.

Centipede has been upgraded with a new Ultra mode. It's the same game, except with new graphics and colors as well as different power-ups. Power shots, multi-shots, rapid fire, DDT bombs and other helpful tools are yours if you're able to shoot them on the screen. The graphics are a great upgrade to the original. The music and sound effects are also excellent. I'm hoping for online score submission in a future update though. You should be able to brag about your high scores.

Centipede was reviewed playing Version 1.0.

The Verdict

For $4.99, fans of Centipede won't be disappointed. Good controls, smart updated mechanics, and a welcome classic mode for nostalgia make this a great package. I can't wait to see what Atari updates next. Asteroids, Dig Dug, Xevious, Gauntlet or Tempest, perhaps?